Final 4 set for Legends caging

The Final 4 stage is set for the Legends Sports Association Invitational Basketball League Season 2.

Premier Builders, Yuman, Savemore, and Choju secured their semis spot after they won their games last weekend at the Gillette Multi-Purpose Gymnasium in Gualo Rai.

Premier Builders won in a blowout, 97-72, last Sunday, while Choju also won, 97-72, over Lamesa Kusina, last Saturday.

Yuman secured the last spot after they upset TanHoldings, 97-90, last Sunday, and Savemore took down KagBros, 64-58, last Saturday.

In the Premier Builders vs. Longshot game, it was a sea of blood red jerseys which set the scene for a bloody battle for a Final 4 spot.

Premier Builders had everything going for them while Longshot scurried hurriedly to make their plays. Premier Builders’ defense proved to be a formidable foe as they took down and blocked Longshots’ main man James Kintz as much as they could.

However, Kintz still muscled his way through the paint whenever he could and led the team out of the first half with 16 points. It wasn’t enough as Premier Builders claimed a 46-36 lead heading into the second half from their starting five’s contributions.

Premier Builders continued their fluidity on the court and their teamwork trumped Longshots’ one-man army. Almost everyone on the team contributed, but notably, Jomari Dela Cruz posted the most at 18, while Carlo Castillo shot 15, and John Mejarito had 14 markers.

Kintz finished the game with a game-high 38 points, while Duncan Laxa put up 13.

For Choju, the youngsters took down veteran players of La Mesa Kusina, which was already a blowout game at the end of the first half.

It was quite physical with multiple fouls for both teams but Choju’s dexterity carried them to the semis. Choju camped the 3-point line and before the end of the first half, made three back-to-back three-pointers to seal a 15-point lead, 51-36.

Choju continued to chug full steam ahead and let it rain threes left and right while La Mesa struggled to keep up. At the end, Choju’s Jay Art Palmes led the team with 29 points, followed by Henry Aguon’s 20, and Junior Aguon’s 13.

La Mesa Kusina’s Web Gontar also posted 29 markers, while Leo Apelo and Francisco Guttierrez sank in 10 apiece.

Catch the semis tonight, Thursday night, and Saturday night, with the championship series slated for April 30, May 2, and if needed, May 4.

Sunday

Premier Builders 97 – Dela Cruz 18, Castillo 15, Mejarito 14, Peredo 13, Didulo 12, Directo 10, Reyes 7, Villocero 6, Yanto 2.

Longshot 72 – Kintz 38, Laxa 13, Cubangbang 6, Tolentino 5, Malonzo 5, Formales 3, Flamar 2.

Scoring by halves: 46-36, 97-72.

Saturday

Choju 97 – Palmes 29, H. Aguon 20, J. Aguon 13, Dikito 11, Faisao 8, Pangelinan 7, Mamis 6, Babauta 3.

La Mesa Kusina 72 – Gontar 29, Apelo 10, Gutierrez 10, Broncano 5, Agustin 4, Natividad 4, Albert 3, Flores 3, Velasco 2, Taraya 2.

Scoring by halves: 51-36, 97-72.